This research project examines organic waste management practices in the city of Kirchhain (Hesse, Germany) and assesses their relevance and transferability to the municipality of Viti in Kosovo, where structured systems for biowaste management are still under development. The study was conducted within the DBU-funded fellowship project ORG-VITI between March 2025 and January 2026 and focuses on composting and biogas production as pathways for sustainable agriculture and circular economy development.
The research combined a literature review, qualitative stakeholder engagement, and quantitative household waste data collection. Stakeholder-specific questionnaires were developed for city administration, NGOs, waste management companies, households, and farmers. Due to time and availability constraints, one in-depth interview with a local NGO was conducted. In addition, six households in Kirchhain documented their waste generation and separation behavior over a one-week period. These data were converted to per-capita annual values and compared with official municipal and regional waste statistics. The project also included active participation in a public outreach event on organic waste and biogas production.
Results highlight strong contrasts between the two municipalities. Kirchhain has a well-established system of separate waste collection, with biowaste processed through anaerobic digestion for biogas production and subsequent composting. High per-capita biowaste quantities indicate strong public participation. In contrast, Viti currently lacks source separation of organic waste, with most waste disposed of in landfills or illegal dumping sites. However, survey data show high interest among farmers in composting if appropriate information and systems are provided.
Overall, the findings demonstrate that organic waste represents a valuable resource with significant potential for compost and energy production. The study underscores the importance of source separation, stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and institutional capacity for effective biowaste management. By combining quantitative data, qualitative insights, and public outreach, the project shows that successful organic waste management systems can transform environmental challenges into sustainable development opportunities, particularly for small municipalities such as Viti.